Carpet-rag looper



(No Model.) n l L. V. GILLILAND.

CARPET RAG LOGPER.

. N0.575,0s1. j Patented Jan.'12,1897.

Laim V.' mmm/ UNiTnn STATES PATENT @Erica LAURA V. GILLILAND, OF DAVENPORT, NEBRASKA.

CARPET-RAG LOOPER. Y

'SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 575,031, dated January 12, 1897.

Application filed March 23, 1S 96.

To all whom, t may concern:

' Be it known that I, LAURA V. GILLILAND, a citizen of the United States, residing at Davenport, in the county of Thayer and State of Nebraska, have invented a new and useful Carpet-Rag Looper, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to carpet-rag loopers 5 and the object in view is to simplify and improve the construction of articles of this character and to provide one in which the point of the needle may be Withdrawn into a recess in which it will be'entirely covered and protected, not only protecting the person from injury, but saving the point of the needle smooth and in perfect condition for use when again desired.-

The invention also has for its object to provide novel means for holding the needle extended, the said means being automatic in action, requiring` no attention on the part of the operator.

The invention consists of an improved carpet-rag looper embodying certain novel features and details of construction, as hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the drawings, and finally pointed out in the claim hereto appended.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved looper. Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section through the same. Figs. 8, 4, 5, and 6 show the different steps inthe method of forming a loop.

Similar numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in the several figures of the drawings.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, 1 designates a metal case having therein a longitudinal bore corresponding to the crosssectional shape of and adapted to receive slidingly an extensible needle or looper 2. The needle is provided at its advance end with the usual point 3 and eye 4, and at its opposite end it has a lateral projection 5, forming a finger-hold, by means of which the needle may be moved lengthwise. The projection 5 extends outwardA through a longitudinal slot 6 in the front wall of the case 1, such slot being of a length sufcient to allow the point of the needle to be withdrawn entirely within the upper end of the case l, and also to be extended into operative position, as shown in Serial No. 584,503. (No model.)

Fig. l. The slot 6 is of less width than the case l, so as to leave longitudinal side ledges 7, behind which the needle slides. The projection 5 limits the longitudinal movements of the needle and prevents the entire withdrawal thereof from the case.

Within the bore of the case is arranged a leaf-spring 8, fast at its lower end in the bot- 6o tom of the slot G, and having its free end located near the upper cnd of the slot and provided at such free end with an L-shaped bend or offset, as indicated at 9.

Vhen the needle is extended to its outermost position, the free end of the spring snaps under the lower or butt end of the needle and thereafter prevents the accidental dropping of the needle, while the offset 9 strikes against the side of the needle and constitutes a stop 7o for limiting the outward vibration of the spring.

Then it is desired to withdraw the needle into the case, the spring 8 may be pressed inward by one finger and the projection 5 oper- 75 ated by Yanother linger. When the needle has been drawn inward in the manner described, the spring 8 will exert its tension to prevent the accidental outward movement of the needle. The projection 5,-while being 8o amply sufficient to enable the operator to extend and withdraw the needle, does not, however, aftord any substantial projection or obstruction which would interfere with the operator or cause injury to the hands. 8 5

Upon its rear side the case 1 has parallel arms or ears 10, one of which is threaded to receive a thumb-screw 1l, whereby the device may be clamped upon the edge of a table.

In operation the looping device is clamped 9o upon a table, as described. The ends of the pieces or strands to be united are overlapped, as shown in Fig. 3, and grasped between the thumbs and forefingers of the operators hands and passed down over the point of the needle and below the eye thereof, as shown in Fig. 4. The opposite or free end of the lower piece or strand is now passed through the eye of the needle, as in Fig. 5, after which the lapped ends are drawn upward off the roo needle, thereby leaving the free end of the lower piece or strand threaded through the punctures made by the needle in the lapped ends, as shown in Fig. 6. Grrasping the outer ends of the two pieces, the connection is now drawn tant, thus forming a strong and effect ive union between the adjacent ends, leaving no projecting ends and dispensing with the necessity for the use of thread and the laborious work of stitching the ends together. After the work has been completed the looping device maybe removed from the table and the needle drawn inward, where its point will be protected frein contact with inoistened lingers, being thns kept in prime condition for 'further use.

Changes in the forni, proportion, and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what inner end with a lateral Infojection, the ease being provided with a slot in one side cominnniealing with the inner end of the bore and terminating short of the ends of the oase, a leafspringloeated in said bore and arranged opposite the said slot in the ease whereby it may be pressed inward by the linger for releasing the needle, the said spring having its free end offset to form a shoulder for engaging the heel end of the needle when thrust outward, and provision for securing the looper to a suitable support, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed iny signature in the presence of two witnesses.

L A URA V. G l lIJL'I L ANI Witnesses:

.Texts F. W,\L'r1ns, CURTIS M. lAn'ren. 

